AREA 29

Take Nothing for Granted

That’s how it felt Sunday against San Francisco when the last seconds ticked off the clock. Like a dream, a surreal feeling where you have to say it out loud just to make sure you have it right.

After that, it was all about enjoying the moment.

I’m still not sure the Super Bowl experience has really hit me yet, probably because we have some unfinished business to take care of. But I’m excited for the pure opportunity of it. I’m looking forward to the whole experience with the cameras, media, family time, and being around my teammates.

I just want to soak it all in, and take nothing for granted. We all understand how blessed and fortunate we are. The game of football can go so many ways. You play so many close games. And you never know when you’ll be back in this situation again.

There’s been so much we had to fight through from Week 1 to now. We’ve been battle tested. We had some balls bounce our way. We had some great interceptions against the Houston Texans. I was able to force a big fumble against Carolina.

It’s all part of the journey, and you have to enjoy the journey. Because when we reach the destination — if we win the Super Bowl — we’re going to look back and enjoy all those great moments that led there that much more.

CREAM OF THE NFC CROP

It feels great to know that we own the NFC, but the 49ers made us earn it.

As a defense, we were able to correct a lot of things we messed up when we lost to them in San Francisco. That’s why I tell my teammates: Every time we lose a game, it doesn’t define us. We learn from our mistakes.

The big thing I learned from that game was patience. There is a tempo and pace you have to harness against the 49ers. I was all over the place when we played them at Candlestick. Frank Gore had that long run, and that was a mental bust, especially on my part. I’m supposed to be the guy who eliminates big plays.

You have to learn from your mistakes. You really have to be hard on yourself. That’s how you evolve as a player and become the best.

If you keep working to make your weaknesses your strengths, pretty soon, you’ll correct every weakness you have. You’ll be like Peyton Manning, where you’ve seen it all. That’s why he’s able to run through all those reads and mess with a defense. He already knows how it’s trying to attack him, and what defense it’s in.

I take that same mentality on my end. Because if you mess up on something, you’re going to see that again. It’s a copycat league, But the next time you see it, if you’re ready, you can capitalize. Last week, I had a good flow and rhythm from the tractor reps I did in practice. That really transitioned into the game. I was iron sharp.

That said, I don’t do it on my own. My teammates have been pushing me since day one. They’re helping me to get better, and vice versa. You have to have a genuine appreciation for teammates who are willing to put in hard work, buy into the system, and never be satisfied with anything but continuing to evolve. It’s incredible to see the heights we’re reaching from that humble attitude.

Kam Chancellor had a great game on Sunday, and I still don’t think he’s scratched the surface of his potential. I tell him all the time, “You’re getting better every week, bro.”

It’s fun to watch him. He can impact the game just by being out there. That’s real impact. If a receiver comes across the middle against us and they get gator arms, it’s because they thought 31 was right there. He’s proving himself week in and week out, especially in these playoff games.

Great players always elevate, and he’s elevating by light years. He’s making everybody feel who he is. I know the Denver receivers and coaches are going to be talking about Kam Chancellor. You definitely have to know where he is at all times. Otherwise, he’ll let you know.

PRAISE FOR KAP

That was the first time Colin Kaepernick ever ran wild on us like that. Watching tape of him, we’d always see these explosive plays that he was getting against other teams.

It never really happened to us until last week.

He’s a fast guy as it is, but he seemed even faster when you take into account the game plan they ran against us. It was unusual. They really seemed to want to keep the ball in his hands.

They were running phantom routes like they were trying to get open, but they were just decoys so Kaepernick could run, almost like it was a draw. It makes it tougher to get to him because you have to deal with blockers already down the field. It’s always going to be a mismatch. When he gets into that second level with the linebackers, he’s going to out run them nine times out of 10.

Sometimes, he can even separate from players in the secondary.

One of his strengths as a runner is his height. He has such long strides, it causes you to misjudge his speed. It doesn’t look like he’s running that fast. But once you get close to him, his stride is so long, he’s just running away from you.

To watch that guy take over the game — he did a hell of a job of making play after play. That’s a special player right there. He plays for the 49ers, one of our biggest rivals, but I have to take my hat off to him. He played a hell of a game.

He also throws one of the hardest balls in the league, almost like a baseball player, and it comes out like a fastball. Hot. The play I had against Boldin in the end zone, Kaepernick was jumping up in mid-air as he threw. That was a dime. I was kind of surprised he even threw it. They usually don’t when I’m that close in the area.

Boldin kind of gave me the look of a crease route, like a post, so I tried to keep my eyes glued on him. In those situations when a quarterback scrambles, it becomes a little chaotic and you just want to try to stay with your man. Those are tough situations when you have to run in circles with your receiver. He’ll kind of push off as you try to find the quarterback, and now you’re trailing him as the quarterback makes a hell of a throw.

It was good offense vs. good defense and as a defender, I just think it was better offense. I should’ve made that play, but there’s nothing I can do to change it. You just have to stay positive. The only thing I’d correct: I’d probably keep my eyes on Boldin a little bit longer so that I was in better proximity with the quarterback throwing the ball. I still thought I had a chance at the interception — that’s why I cut him off — but I have to at least get my whole hand on that ball and tip it incomplete.

It’s a learning experience.

UNSUNG HEROES

I definitely want to give some major credit to Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril. I stopped those two the other day in the cafeteria just to tell them how important they are to what we do, but I also want to make everybody else aware of it.

Since those two guys joined the team, it’s been night and day in terms of pressure on the quarterback. We’ve always had a solid defensive line with Red Bryant, Bruce Irvin, Tony McDaniel and Brandon Mebane. But now it’s like rapid fire. We’re rotating guys in and out, and it’s helping everybody. Those two players have made the biggest impact of any of the new guys on defense.

Each caused a fumble in last week’s game, and Michael almost took the one Cliff forced back for a touchdown. I was behind him the whole play, and the funny thing I noticed watching it back was that I never called for him to pitch. Normally, anytime someone on our defense gets a pick or a fumble, I’m always alongside of them telling them to pitch the ball so I can score. But I was so into it on Sunday and wanted to win so bad that I just went down and blocked my butt off, trying to clear room for him.

We caused some big turnovers in the fourth quarter that swung the game our way. At the end of the game, especially when you’re in that type of championship environment, everything is going to be magnified. That’s when you really have to be on your technique, and we trust our technique. We have a saying: “The closer you get, the harder you run,” and I think that applies.

Good practice habits always transition to the game. That tipped ball play at the end was just like I said when we were in New York. When the ball is thrown to a spot, you have to run to that spot because you never know what could happen. A ball could get tipped, you could catch an interception or it could be caught and fumbled. Good things always happen when you run to the ball. Malcolm Smith did that.

RECEIVING CREDIT

Our wide receivers all had a heck of a game, and came up with some big plays to deliver that win.

Doug Baldwin really showed who he is in that game. It’s incredible to see an undrafted guy go out there like that, and just flow.

He’s been playing great in the playoffs. He had some big catches against the Saints. I said last week that Doug is a game changer on our team. I predicted that he was going to be like our Wes Welker, and look what happened. Watching the tape on Tell-The-Truth Monday, it was amazing to see how those two guys got us out of tight situations.

Jermaine Kearse had a great game too. I think he and Ricardo Lockette have the chance to be great. They’re both speed guys who can change the pace, and both have good body control. The best part is seeing them put in the work every day to get there.

When Kearse came here, I heard he dropped a lot of passes in college. It was great to see a guy like that go out, silence the critics and make big play after big play this year. I know it’s a dream come true for him to be playing for the Seahawks because he’s from this area. This is the team he grew up watching. For him to have this type of impact on the team, making those big catches and catching that game-changing touchdown, I’m sure that’s humbling.

SHERM SPEAKS

Everybody played great and we got a great win that got us to the Super Bowl. Some of the attention was taken off of that because of Sherm’s interview after the game. But I think you have to applaud a guy who is really standing up for what he believes. As a teammate, I back him and support it.

People have to realize that in that particular moment, Richard was just getting off the field. When you’re on the field, you’re in the zone. You’re in a certain place mentally where people might not like you as a person. But that’s your job.

That job is also not all of what makes Richard Sherman who he is.

Richard is a very intelligent person. He’s used his education to his benefit more than many others. There’s a reason he’s having so much success on and off the field.

You can see his intelligence in his feel for the game. When teams try to throw a back shoulder on him, for example, he’s able to read the receiver’s eyes and adjust accordingly. He sees a lot before it happens. Most corners don’t think that way. He’s a technician. He’s not the most athletic player in the world, but his mind and his technique set him apart.

He’s also very humble. He’s a great teammate. He’s always doing stuff for the community, and to me, he’s a joyful guy. He’s always laughing. He’s doing these crazy Michael Jackson throwback dances in practice. When you see him in a game and he’s dancing out there, that’s just him. He’s going to try to catch everybody’s eye every time we play football. But you want that. You want to show who you are every time out there. He definitely shows who he is in his play.

The stuff that Sherm does — whether it is talking or dancing — that is him, through and through. He’s not doing it for the cameras. It doesn’t matter to him if no one is watching. He’s going to speak his mind, and say what he feels. He wears his heart on his sleeve.

Sometimes you just have to let guys be themselves. We definitely do that here in Seattle.

We take pride on being entertaining. Coach Carroll does a good job of letting us find ourselves. All those unique personalities that we have on defense, that’s what makes us who we are. We don’t fit into the mold of boring, stereotypical NFL defenses. People just like to watch us because it’s pure. It’s coming from a good place. It’s from the heart. And it’s fun.

We’re like offense on defense.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

We had our first practice of the week on Wednesday, and though it was more of an introduction to the Denver Broncos, it was very high tempo.

They have a unique attack. Peyton Manning isn’t a quarterback who is going to scramble, but the Broncos can cause problems for us with the play action pass and developing routes. So he still has that dual threat capability in the sense that any play could be a run or a pass.

We definitely have to be keyed in.

Having an extra week to prepare changes things a lot as far as practice goes. It allows our coaches to better understand the team we’re facing and game plan, and allows us to get comfortable with what we’re seeing.

That’s especially true for our defense going against a quarterback like Peyton Manning. We know how savvy he is. You can’t play games and try to outsmart him. He’s seen it all. He’s been in this league a long time, and there’s a reason he has accomplished the things that he has.

We just have to stay within ourselves and not get too caught up in the moving parts.

THANK YOU 12S

Being connected with you guys, the fans, throughout the whole journey has made it that much more fun.

The whole process of being home in our own backyard the last few weeks has been great. It’s been easy prep-wise. The games are obviously going to be hard. But when you know where you’re going, it’s your environment, you’re familiar with the football field and your fan base is behind you, all those factors make you more comfortable.

There’s a saying that all football fields are the same. But I don’t believe it. There’s nothing like our home field. We’re used to that field. We know every corner, every hump in the turf. And the 12th man — the 12th man is unmatched. You guys were great, causing penalties because of how loud you were. That factored into our success.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and from the whole team. We all know how great we have it here. Whether we win or lose, you’re with us.

I can’t ask for more than that. A lot of fan bases will turn on you quickly if you’re losing. But there were times we’d come home from a loss on the road this season, and get off the plane at 3 or 4 in the morning, and you were still out there, waiting for us.

75 Comments

Well said. I’ve been a Hawks fan for 20 years. I feel more connected to this team than any other before. The coaching, philosophy, and players make this team the best in the NFL. Go get that world championship, you all deserve it.

It was an awesome victory and a thrilling finish. My Dad and I will be in New York to cheer you on. Living in Austin people remind me all the time you are a Longhorn and I have to admit having you as a Seahawk has made me a Longhorn fan.

Great post. I’ve been a Hawks fan for quite a few years now, but I really have to say there is truly something special that has come together with this team. It is such fun watching you guys play! Even on those couple of losses this year it was still great to cheer you guys on. I hear all of you in various interviews talk about he’s not just my teammate, he’s my brother, and I do believe that is what has brought this team through so much and made all of us out here enjoy you even more. This team does feel more like family than just our team. This has been one of the best seasons I can remember, not just because you guys won, but because you guys are great together. It’s awesome to watch each week, we never know who is going to pop up and make that awesome play, everyone of you are so passionate about your game. So proud of the entire team, everyone of you. God Bless each and everyone of you, and go enjoy the spelndor of this Superbowl experience. We the 12th man will be with you be it at the stadium or in front of our T.V. loud and proud to have experience this with you guys! GO HAWKS, ITS SEAHAWKS TIME!!!

Just wanted to say I’m very proud of all of you guys. Keep playing hard and just have some fun. Earl, when you get in the zone… I’m kinda scared for the other guy. LOL. Never stop doing what you do! Go Hawks!

Love the column Earl. I’ve enjoyed watching you play and grow in your role. Great to see you stepping out and increasing the visibility of Brand Earl Thomas. Sorry I missed your “free safety advice” downtown as I live very close to the market. Go Hawks and best of luck in SB.

I am very proud of our Seahawks, Earl Thomas players like you are why its easy to be a Seahawks fan. Its inevitable that someone will come on here and be negative about our Hawks. But as a HAWKS fan from the beginning, I know how far you’ve come in the last few years. Go to the Superbowl and winWe have you’re back.

Thanks for the great post Earl! You are an amazing athlete, ever since you came on to this team you’ve proven your place, hands down the best free safety the league has to offer! You and the boys go out there next Sunday and bring that trophy home, you and the rest of the team deserve it! LOB baby! Seahawks FTW

Mr. Earl, thank you for setting an example on and off the field. You guys are great together! We’ve got your back too. It’s funny when I talk Seahawks, because I say we as if I have done anything on this run to the Super Bowl. I have been a fan since I was born and will be til I die. I think the Sounders have the saying, but it can translate to the Seahawks. I hope you stay with us for years to come. Continue to be great and yes, why not you?

Earl, thank you for your thoughtful post. I am proud of the way Seattle football has evolved recently, and the team has done a fantastic job of representing the city while staying true to themselves. Your guys’ work ethic is amazing and it is fantastic to see the team succeed and see the results of your hard work. Go get em’ next Sunday!

I was teary eyed while reading this. You are an exceptional man. I can feel the emotion in your words…just as I can feel the heart and determination when you’re on the field. You and the rest of the guys on this team…are the reason I feel more connected as a fan…than I ever have. Your passion has become contiguous…your hard work is deeply appreciated. You are a blessing. Keep striving for perfection…because you’re on the path to excellence.

Earl, I thank you for your defense of Sherman. I am praying for you and your teammates to get that ring. As one of your former teachers at WOS, I am so very proud of you! You are a wonderful man, you are what you are, not for what I did for you, but for what your parents and grandparents instilled in you. I am so privileged to have had you in homeroom for all those years and love you dearly. Someday I hope to visit with you again, but in the meantime, go for the ring!!!!!!

Thanks for the wonderful, wild ride this season. It’s obvious in watching your interactions you all do care about each other. Early in the preseason I heard a quote, I think from Coach, “it’s the team, not the individual; it’s the wins, not the individual awards that matter to you all”. I have seen this in action all season and as a life long fan it’s so wonderful to see. Have fun, enjoy the game and know your 12s are with you each step of the way.

There’s a reason yours was the first jersey I had bought in a long time as soon as you got drafted. Thanks for being you and for writing this blog and giving all the fans insight into what you do and how you feel. You keep up the enthusiastic style of play and we’ll keep the faith. Go get yourself a ring buddy!

It was well written and said,Earl. Bless you for putting your own words and experience on the game for us to read. To me as a individual 12th fan, you and your whole team of Seahawks has given us a wonderful season with crazy joy ride of plays.Thank you very much. The fact that you give props to Kap and some of the 49ers is really great sportsmanship . Great to know also that you had giving your thoughts on the whole Sherman craze that was going on this week, which I totally agree with you. My final say to you and the Seahawks: You guys WILL win this Super Bowl,trust that and believe! Stay focus,play with hunger and force! 12th man up and GO HAWKS!

So proud to say I was your seventh grade teacher! You are an amazing athlete and I appreciate your work ethic so very much. My grandsons are thrilled with the Seattle Earl Thomas jerseys they got for Christmas. They are looking forward to attending your camp in Orange this summer.

Awesome write up ET… Been a diehard hawks fan since a kid and followed u n college and was so glad they drafted u cuz was scared Carroll was going with his guy from USC Taylor Mays, but thank god they made the right decision and got u. And I am so proud to be a Seahawks fan!! Bring that ring to the 206!!

I have been a Seahawks fan from the beginning of the franchise and I have NEVER felt as connected to the team as I do now. Maybe its the day and age of social media, I don’t know. What I do know is that I love watching each and every minute of every game, you guys don’t make it boring or dull that’s for sure!! Thank you for being a part of this wonderful experience. I can’t wait to see you guys hoist that Lombardi trophy over your heads!! GO HAWKS!!!!

Such a great article and insight into this team. Earl, you make us proud to be Seahawk fans. I love watching you give it everything you’ve got on every play…i hope you’ll be a Hawk for years to come. Thank you for your effort. Now go get that ring!!

Thanks for the great article. I watched a show on NFL network today about the “Best 10 Players Who Never Played in a Superbowl” – number 3 was Steve Largent who I remember well from back in the Seahawks expansion team days. It really underscored how very special it is for you and your young team to be going to the big dance – many never make it. Proud of you guys and GO HAWKS!

Great read, Earl! You truly have been a pleasure to watch play. Thanks for such an exciting season! As much as I’m not ready for this season to be over, I am ready for us to go get that Super Bowl! Get it! Go Hawks!!

Great message Earl! Us 12s have been behind you and this team all the way, win or lose, Your jersey was the first jersey I have owned and I got it right after you started with the Hawks. Your sense of self, your confidence, your ability to read the game, your humbleness, your connection to your family and team comes through in who you are. Thanks for being you bro. This 12 woman is proud to wear #29.

I have been a die hard Hawk fan since I was eleven years old in 1983! Before that I was too young, but I remember my mom cheering the Hawks on. Anyways I love this team, the passion and love for the game that you guys have. No matter what happens in this next game- it has been an awesome season. I will wear my Earl Thomas jersey with Hawk pride. Which by the way was the very fist jersey I have ever owned. I chose you ET not because of your awesome football skills but because of the person you are. Your character and love for Jesus was someone I could say, Hey you all I am a fan of ET Hawk fan!
Great article I enjoyed reading it and go get that Lombardi trophy!
GO HAWKS!

Earl, more and more lately when I hear you express yourself, you are becoming the SOUL of this team. Keep doin’ what you’re doing, because you’re hard work continues to pay off. You show it’s possible to be focused and confident, yet also humble. Humility is important. Peyton is great, but I have no doubt this Hawks squad is the best in the NFL. Neutral field, defense wins championships, I like our chances a lot. Don’t let the moment overwhelm you, just be yourself, play to your strengths, and it will all be good.

Earl…. this team… your team, has connected to the 12th man like none before. You guys are good dudes that want to win. Nothing more nothing less. You guys are going to win, it is the way it has to be. Go forth…. we will be screaming as loud as we can whether we are in the stadium ir 3000 miles away!

EARL, Wow you are not only the best free safety in the NFL , but one heck of a writer. The one line you wrote : “We’re like offense on defense.” finally puts in to words the feeling and thoughts that come to me when I watch you guys on the field…Pure genius the way you guys play and now you have put it into words. I’m 55 years old and have been waiting since 1976 for a team like this to represent our city in the Super Bowl and like so many others I am so proud of you and the rest of the team. You guys are not only representing Seattle but showing us all how to “Up our Games” with dedication and style. I’m flying out Thursday morning to the East Coast and will be looking for you on the field comrade. Go Hawks! Jeff from http://jeffsmariners.com

With the Real Rob Report gone, you and Richard have picked up the slack to provide even better insight to our players and team. That connection with the fans will only strengthen the bond between the team and fan base AND it’s a great way to get our Seahawks fix between games, LOL!

I also love how you guys are shifting the focal point off of one person and onto the team as a whole. ‘Go Hawks!’

Thank you for you leadership Earl. Each of our DB’s brings something unique: Cam and Browner’s physicality, Sherm’s intellect, and your intensity and leadership. Maxwell is doing amazing; I think that’s a testament Pete’s program and your influence. You guys are playing so well and it’s scary because the LOB has even more potential on tap.

Next Sunday is going to be a showcase on what happens when you have the best secondary in NFL history backed up by a tough front 7. This will be a Super Bowl I tell my grand-kids about.

Earl, your article was a great read and well said. I have been a Seahawks fan since 1976; ( I was 10 yrs old). I have loved and supported my team with all my heart and soul; year after year. I have been through all the ups and downs and mostly more downs than ups; (LOL). But this I will say; this has absoluely been the best team from top to bottom that we have ever had in Seattle! The comradery and support that you all give each other is absolutely amazing! I sure hope we can keep you all together for as many years as possible. I love my Team! I am behind each one of you and support you all 100%. Congrats on a successful season up to this point and now, let’s go win one more! Go Hawks!!

The Seahawks this year have brought me back to the NFL I grew up with. My dad educated me on teamwork, hard work and excellence through the old Joe Montana, Steve Largent days of the NFL. I understand times have changed, rules have changed, jerseys have changed but thank you for being part of the core of players who are returning to being whole people, good people, contributing and caring members of the community that supports you.
I found something to root for again and I am grateful. Go Hawks! Enjoy every minute of the ride.

Seattle’s got heart and I love telling people it’s my home. Being born and raised in the Puget Sound I was first introduced to our sports teams by my mom. Remember when Seattle had a baseball team called the Pilots? I remember as kid being so embarrassed by her screaming at the TV. She loved “our” guys no matter what sport and football was her other passion. She died this past October and I know she would have loved have loved to see you guys be your magnificent selves this past season. Good luck in the Superbowl, you guys have earned this. Thanks for adding such good energy to my home town.

Very well said! I am an avid Seahawks fan and more importantly a fan of the people you guys are on and off the field. You are a great group of young men with great hearts and a great sense of leadership! People can say whatever they want about Sherman but what do you expect when you put a mic in front of a player when Erin Andrews did and expect not to get raw emotion and a lot of adrenaline. Nobody should criticize him for his raw emotions and feelings and Erin knew exactly what she was doing when she put that mic in front of Sherman right after that play! No matter what Seahawks players say or , in Marshawns case, not say doesn’t matter because what you guys do on the field and in the community says everything about the amazing group of young men that you are. Thank you guys for being who you are!

P.S. I forgot to put this in my post above… I told everybody that if the Seahawks went to the Super Bowl that my 9 month old son was going to have a seahawk logo and a 12 shaved on his head! We will be rocking our gear and be all decked out! My son Ty even does something amazing that I taught him! He loves watching football already, lol, and when I saw “Go Hawks!” He throws both of this arms up in the air and says yeah!!! I went to the University of Oklahoma and we had this thing we said “Sooner Born, Sooner Bred, and when I die I’ll be Sooner dead.” But our saying in our house is “Seahawks Born, Seahawks Bred, and when I die I’ll be Seahawks Dead!” Lol

I’m so inspired by you and this team. This 12 (family) sends you our best as you set off to accomplish this next huge opportunity. Take it all in. You’ve earned it. Few have worked as hard as #29. We’re so proud of this team.

If you hear a distant yell at Metlife, it’s coming from us in Seattle! Safe Travels.

Wow! What an inspiring, honest, complimentary, professional, from-the-heart composition. Thank you for taking the high road Earl and sharing your thoughts. The written word is powerful and will help others outside this area understand the integrity of this team not only as players but also good people.
A thought consistent with who the Seahawks are – – When they ask the winning QB where he is going to go after the SuperBowl, instead of “Disneyland”, a for-profit corporation all about the money, I hope Russell says, “my wife and I with some of the players are going to the Seattle Children’s’ Hospital to celebrate this victory with hundreds of kids there who deserve everything positive in their lives.” Maybe the same Disneyland question will also be asked of the MVP.

Great column, Earl. Fan since 1976 and season ticket holder since 1992. In that year of 2-14 I always knew there would be a day like 2006 and again like today with the anticipation of a Super Bowl win. I truly believe this is a magical year and bringing all you players together as this team is truly magical. I’m so glad you are part of it. Your intensity is magical as well. Will be here to welcome you home with the Lombardi trophy. GO HAWKS!!

Earl, I respect your work ethic and intensity. You are a leader and I appreciate how you carry yourself on and off the field. Thank you for your hard work. I wish nothing but the best for your. You are making a huge impact! It is so good to see a group of young men with your focus. Enjoy your week and “Go Hawks!”

I sent a link to this story to a good friend that is a Niners fan and this was his response: “Would you just quit sending stuff like this?! We Niner fans would like to keep hating the Seahawks.” Nobody that is a true football fan could ever hate on you, Earl. You’re the best all around football player on a team full of great ones. You raise the bar for the whole team. Keep doing what you do. GO HAWKS!

Earl,
Don’t know if you read these, but my respect for you is beyond measure. My Son is 17yrs old and play baseball at a high level. I would be proud, if he turned out like you! Articulate, intelligent,humble, and a 110% effort guy. Thank you (and your parents) for being a great example to our kids, and one heck if a football player. God bless and protect you the rest of your career and GO HAWKS!!!

You are a talented writer, Earl! Thank you for sharing your perspective with your fans, I found your honest insight very interesting. Enjoy your Super Bowl Week and I know you’ll savor the Hawks victory for a lifetime! Consider writing a book someday on your NFL experience – you’re already an excellent author.

Earl – fantastic blog, so happy to find it! I went to my first Hawks game this year (against Tampa Bay). I could not have picked a better season to go. Being in that stadium can only be described as an incredible experience. If you haven’t been, you have no idea what it’s like. Every Sunday I suit up in my Sherman jersey and watch football with my brother in his dedicated Seahawks tv room. I am so proud of all of you, to watch you develop and grow over these last few years under Carroll. I’m STOKED you made it to the big one. I love watching the Legion of Boom, Beast Mode, Russell, Baldwin, Tate, Avril, Bennett…too many to list, and here’s nobody better. I know you guys can do this, and will be bringing the Lombardi trophy home to the Pacific NW, where it belongs. GO HAWKS!!!!

I have been bless to have season tickets for the past 7 years. This year and last year have been some the best games I’ve seen at the stadium. the energy that comes from the whole team is felt throughout the stadium. I cant wait for the well deserved super bowl game and the games to come at century link with our favorite team in the world Seahawks go hawks.

Impressive blog post. Really respect your comments about Kap and what you learned from that play to Boldin and the Gore run at Candleatick (I live in SF and was at both games cheering you on with my son in his 29 jersey). Gonna be fun to watch you two teams compete in coming years. But for his year, go get that trophy that you and Seattle deserves! GO HAWKS!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for all the hard work you put in. It is such a pleasure watching you guys play each week. I know you and most of your teammates aren’t from this area necessarily, but you are all Seattleites in our eyes and we hope it feels at least like a home away from home. Thanks for all you do to rep this area and positively impact our community.

Earl, man you express yourself really well. I’m sort of tearing up inside. The emotion of this journey for you all, us all, is on the surface of your words. I’m glad you have opened up over the years. All the best in the Super Bowl this year and all the best as this team evolves. I have a feeling that the Hawks are in it for the long haul now – the vibe and talent are so good! Thanks for all you give.

I enjoyed reading the account of the game from the perspective of a great player like you Mr. Thomas. I know what you mean about Kap, I think that it was all part of Harbaugh’s plan during the season to not let him run many times so as to protect him, but now that the whole season was on the line, he had the green light because he did that to the Pack also. He runs incredibly fast and against the Pack he could hold the ball with one hand somehow in the cold and not fumble at all. But despite his skills and big plays, you still stopped them from scoring many points and that’s what matters.
Against the Pats, that pick or whatever Welker did to Talib, seemed to have been a game changer when he was the best DB injured, and I don’t even know if that was legal, but if he tries that crap against Kam, I think
Welker is the one who will not be playing the rest of the game! I should think the win against an elite passer like Brees was pretty good prep for Manning’s style. I’ve always felt Manning excels when he gets a lead and therefore no pressure and like that first MNF game when he had 6 or 7 TD’s, a lot of those were done w/o any pressure, and against the Seahawks, it will be the opposite, a lot of pressure on him all the time, when he gets in 3rd and long and if the score is close, he’s not the same passer at all, that’s why I like the Seahawks chances. Walter Thurmond seems like an interesting thinker, he has the perfect illustration posted a tweet for the road to the Superbowl trophy I think, it’s like “Don’t let them slow you down”, and it’s a guy holding his dreams on a road and up ahead is like a gauntlet of distractions and impediments he has to get through. You know I had no problem with Sherm and I like his enthusiasm and passion. There will be attempts to make that stuff a distraction for your team, don’t let them do it! I’m sure Crabtree and Harbaugh would like nothing more than to watch you get beat by the Broncos, don’t let them do it! Stay focused on just doing what you do and then every doubter will have to respect that you are indeed the best.

I am a Seahawks fan since 1978 from Edison NJ. My 14 year old son and I watch every game you guys play. He proudly wears your number on his Seahawks jersey. I can’t tell you how excited we are about you guys coming to NJ to WIN the Superbowl. Best of luck to you and all of the guys and thanks for a great season. P.S. You have our votes for Defensive Player of the year!

Earl – thank you for a terrific blog post. I agree with everything you said and more! Live in the now, as Russel says, because this team is historic – I think they’ll look back on your defense and compare to the greats of all time. Thank you for being such a class act and competitor – we truly appreciate everything you do.

Seriously, you guys are like our brothers. We love you boys. You guys work so hard. We couldn’t ask for a better squad. I cant wait to see what the future, even after this Superbowl, brings for this team. I will never look at defense the same. My nephew used to get bummed when he was put on defense instead of offense and to tell you the truth so was i but after this season both of us would rather he be on defense. He takes full pride now being a DB. I like watching Defenses now more then offenses. Its just crazy how that has flipped as a viewer for me. Also as an athlete myself i have to admit i hate playing defense in basketball, i was all offense, now i’ve realized how much my own game suffered from not taking the time to work on my defensive skills and thinking it was all about my offense. Great Blog. Love you!!!!

Thanks Earl…..what an inspirational post! Another gem amidst a season of them! I am one of Seattle’s out of country fans from BC Canada and have followed the team since 76. This 38th edition of the team has been the most inspiring with it’s spirit, integrity and teamwork. Your post certainly encompasses that …go Hawks and have a great experience!!!

Much respect to Earl Thomas and the Seahawks on a big win last week. I’ve been a 49er fan since 1979, so I have seen some dark days, some amazing days, and some in between. What I see with this Seattle team is similar to what I saw when the Cowboys came of age under Jimmy Johnson.

Similar to the way most Seahawk fans probably feel about Jim Harbaugh, I have a somewhat different opinion on Richard Sherman’s postgame antics than you, Earl, but aside from that I will say I am impressed by the tenor of your comments and appreciate the class you and most of your teammates show. I for one think the “Niners suck” or “Forty Whiners” or “SeadderalI” or “Seachickens” B.S. is way overdone between the worst elements of both fan bases, and have never understood why talking smack about a rival is so accepted. There’s a reason you guys feel as great as you do right now; you beat a great team, and it’s how I hope to feel next year (no offense…) after the Niners beat you guys.

I think this rivalry has a ways to go, as both teams have stockpiles of young talent, great coaches, and great organizations. However, I’ve also seen how quickly it can all go away. So, congrats on the win, and don’t make the mistake of thinking that this is routine. Take the Lombardi when you have your shot, because you never know when you’ll be back. Good luck on Sunday.

As a Niners fan since birth (and I’m 43 now), I obviously wasn’t happy with the result of the NFC Championship Game. But I’ll be rooting for you, Earl, and the Hawks… this was a well-written and extremely classy piece that reflects many of the thoughts I had after the game as well. Best of luck in the big game!

Congratulations Mr. Thomas… again!! Wow! That was what Ditka used to call ‘ a good old-fashioned butt-kicking’. I sure enjoyed this Superbowl and although I expected the Seahawks to win, never in my wildest dreams did I expect that degree of domination. I thought it was a little disprespectful that Manning would not admit that you were the greatest defense ever, and said something like ‘I can’t say that’ or “I don’t know” or whatever. Well I can definitely say it for him – you were the greatest defense if NFL history!! And to me it’s not even close, it’s a slam dunk, not even just a dunk, it’s one of those Shaq, backboard shattering slam dunks! I mean, like that was against the most potent offense ever, in the biggest game of the year, and not only did you dominate, but the score could have been even more one sided if you hadn’t mercifully shifted just a bit to more prevent on defense and the offense took their foot off the gas slightly also. Manning should retire now, but I think he wants to break Favre’s all-time records, which is kinda selfish motivation to come back, because after that beatdown, what are the chances he’s gonna get a ring next year? with KC much improved, San Diego beat them once last year already and are improving and, well Oakland will maybe surprise some folks who knows? Favre endured a much greater punishment and was sacked so many more times than Manning and lasted like 300 games w/o missing a start, and I’d like to see him keep those records.
That banner with “Bigger, Faster, Stronger” was definitely truth in advertising! I’m proud of you and your team and coach Carroll’s “Magnum Opus” this season was a joy to behold. Enjoy your championship, well-done Mr. Thomas.